Chapter 03: Keeping up Appearances

Several days passed by like this. Kilian would get up in the morning, do a few exercises to move his feet, and bring blood flow back to his legs.

Then every morning at irregular times a random maid would show up with the same soup he had received his 'first' day there. It was a healthy warm thick soup with plenty of vegetables, and he would greedily eat it.

However his legs were still hurting, they were constantly reminding Kilian they were not used to the sudden burden on them and he had to slow down or change the exercise to let the muscles catch up.

It felt like it was no different than the constant torture they had endured throughout the years.

With the meal came a glass of water, not much but he would wet a corner of his shirt and use it to wash his private areas.

After just a couple of days, his shirt had become too dirty to say it was cleaning anything and he just started to not wear his shirt.

One morning a maid entered and screamed, as she walked in and saw his naked upper body when she had brought him his morning soup. Soon after this the head maid had been by and thrown some clean clothes on his bed, demanding him to put them on immediately.

Kilian could tell, that even the interactions with the opposite sex had strict rules here, so he could only guess that the intimacy between people of the same sex must be viewed even worse in this world, almost as a taboo.

From then on together with his soup in the morning, he also received a water basin with clean cold water to wash up with.

He was slowly but surely changing his life, every time making sure they would think they were the ones who had made the decision to do so.

In that way, he kept his shy timid personality in front of them, and they didn't question his motives. After all, they all believed he had been thoroughly put in his place, by their so-called upbringing.

Kilian washed his face in the ice-cold water, it was chilly outside these days, and he had seen frost accumulate on the grass in the mornings. The water must have come directly from the well, without being warmed up.

He sat in his chair by the window, looking down, seeing the same daily routine run by the knights in training, scouting out the flaming red hair among the common brown.

He sat and looked at the young man train for a while massaging his thighs to bring blood flow and warmth into them.

Lately, the red-head had started waving at him, when noticing he was being stared at from above, giving Kilian a broad cheeky smile.

Kilian never waved back and kept his expression blank, but on the inside, he was quite amused by the fresh personality of the young man.

He rolled away from the window and got down from his chair, starting to do his daily exercises, when he suddenly heard a noise outside his door. It was too late for him to climb up in the wheelchair, and instead, he quickly pushed it to make it fall with a loud 'bump'.

He laid out on the floor the same moment the door sprung up, with the head maid fuming as she walked inside the room.

"Get up!"

She yelled at him, seeing him on the floor with the fallen wheelchair, assuming he had been clumsy. It was just adding to the faults they already thought he had, instead of assuming anything else.

She didn't help him but just waited for him to put the chair back and climb back up.

"A tailor is visiting today, and we need to make you somewhat presentable, you will meet him in the parlor room, and not...here".

She looked around, scoffing at the state of the room they were in as if none of it was her fault.

"We will get you a presentable outfit to wear for the Yule Ball, nothing more, don't be a greedy brat, this is coming from your Father's hard work, and you don't deserve it".

She looked at his scarred legs for a brief moment, and Kilian saw the flash of a wicked smile.

Two maids entered the room, and they made him stand while helping him dress. Something they would probably have had him do himself if they had ever shown him how to wear these kinds of intricate clothing he was getting.

Kilian didn't say anything, it was not the right moment, he simply followed the instructions, though standing up on his legs made his eyes well up with tears from the pain, and he looked down, refusing to give them the satisfaction.

He bit his lips, till he could taste the metallic blood on his tongue, trying to endure the extreme pain from standing.

They knew this was hurting him. They knew very well.

His tears were no longer from pain, but from anger, a wave of seething anger deep inside him, but not an irrational one.

"Get in the chair, but when the tailor arrives, you will stand, and not use the wheelchair."

"Y..yes" he timidly replied. Still tasting the droplets of blood that laid on his tongue.

A maid stood behind him and rolled him to the Parlor, a place where nobles would accommodate and meet guests of the house.

The room was on the opposite side of the annex he resided in and it was stunningly lavish and set up prepared to receive an important guest with refreshments and snacks in abundance.

There was more food provided on the table in the room than he had seen his whole life, and he clenched his teeth, unable to hold back as he flashed an angry look at the maid who was bringing even more treats.

He had to get up, and they took away the chair, hiding it in an adjacent room, while he held on to the side of a table to do his best to keep standing.

His feet felt like they were on fire, and his muscles were cramping.

"Don't hunch!". The head maid yelled at him, and he stood up straight as commanded.

He hated her voice by now. If only he could rip it out somehow. The thought made him smile. Yes..maybe that was what he would do...Take away her voice.

"Ahh!!! Young Master Kilian! How nice to finally meet you!". The voice was high-pitched but not unfriendly, as a tall skinny man with long brown hair in a ponytail, waltzed into the room.

Kilian put on an amiable smile and held his hand out, which was quickly taken and shaken by the man.

"Let me introduce myself," the man gave a curt nod and placed his palm on his left chest.

"My name is Mr. Kilga, I am a merchant with the Merchant organization in town, it is my pleasure to be one of the first to meet the young coming-of-age Master Kilian"

Kilian nodded.

"I am that Master Kilian Heatgrave" Kilian said with a wink in his eyes and a charming smile, implying he knew what Mr. Kilga had meant by the 'one of the first'.

Kilian was very aware that there must have been a lot of rumors about him in society, as no one had seen him since his birth had been announced, 18 years prior.

"Won't you sit Mr. Kilga?".

Kilian used the little manners he knew, though it was not from this world, as there was no memory of the young Kilian having received a proper etiquette education. He could only take from his modern world memories of the manners knocked into him by his mother.

He could at least accommodate a guest to some degree, hopefully, any missing etiquette would be faulted to his young age.

He moved his hand out keeping it flat with his palm up as he gestured to a seat near the table with refreshments laid out, hoping the food would bribe this man's goodwill as it had done many others through history.

Kilian wanted to keep the lead of the conversation, and a few maids stood at the wall uncomfortable, staring at him as if it was the first time they had seen him.

During the dressing, they had tied his now long hair up in a ponytail in the back, as long hair was not uncommon to nobles, and with a clean look and bangs cut, the now young Kilian in the room looked extremely dashing.

Kilian was unsure how to bring back his timid and shy personality again with the maids, but to make a friend with someone like Mr. Kilga could no less than save his life, so the problem with the maids' perspective would have to be solved later.

"My my, what a polite young man, I have to say, we are all very fascinated and excited to meet you officially at the Yule Ball".

Kilian picked up on the 'We", assuming that this Mr. Kilga may even be of noble blood but had used his work title Mr. as this was a work-related visit.

Kilian instantly admired this man's work ethic, as he could have easily thrown around whichever noble name he may have.

"I will make sure not to disappoint anyone who wishes to speak with me during the event".

Kilian gave Mr. Kilga another charming smile, that together with his delicate fine looks were working wonders on the man in front of him.

"Of course!" The man exclaimed.

"You will be the man of the hour, everyone would want to meet such a handsome young man, I will do my utmost to dress you for the occasion, have you thought about any theme or style?".

Kilian placed his face into a pondering expression on purpose and seemed hesitant as he replied.

"I am sorry to say Mr. Kilga, due to my previous poor health, I have been unable to fully learn about etiquette or proper dressing, even now as I am better it seems I do not have the right teaching materials to study up for the occasion. I am afraid I would be a disgrace to the people who will come to the ball".

Kilian made sure to look dejected but gave Mr. Kilga a pair of wanting clear eyes. He kept pushing the objective he really had for this visit.

"I am sure the Count would supply me with what I need, but I am afraid even if we call for material at this time, it would be too late before the Yule Ball".

Mr. Kilga moved forward in his chair.

"If Master Kilian would allow it, I would be very happy to supply the young Master with material on etiquette before the ball. I can have it sent by this evening".

Kilian nodded, and Mr. Kilga continued.

"I am very pleased to hear such a fine young man asking to be educated to look out for the honor of his family".

Kilian gave the man a smile and accepted the offer. He had now achieved what he wanted to from this meeting, which was a source of knowledge about this world.

"But Master Kilian, if it is not too rude may I ask how come you are not in a wheelchair?"

Kilian's smile froze on the spot and forced it to stay as he replied.

"Unfortunately, I am still confined to a wheelchair some days, but as I said, I am getting healthier."

He then decided to use it for his benefit and continued.

"I just believed when meeting a man of your reputation, I should at least show the courtesy of standing when receiving you".

Mr. Kilga covered his mouth with his hand, holding back a gasp like a proper lady would with a fan.

"Please Master Kilian, do sit, you do not need to show me such courtesy, though it is truly appreciated, please do take a seat."

Kilian knew enough to know that technically he had a higher status, as long as Mr. Kilga had not introduced himself as something above a Count, which was why his comment and show of humility seemed to make Mr. Kilga more forthcoming.

Kilian sat down on a nearby chair enjoying the comfort of the soft cushions and almost sighed in relief, as the pain lessened in his legs.

He had received a possible ally, so he would need to show this Mr. Kilga what he could do.

But for now, he would use the young delicate features his mom had given him, to the fullest.

He decided to fill his stomach with the many delicious treats that were brought forth. No one would be able to scold him in front of a guest.

After all, appearances were everything to a noble household.